Latest News

FAA bars US airlines from Haiti after shooting hits planes

The Federal Aviation Administration stated on Tuesday it will disallow U.S. airlines from running in Haiti for thirty days after 2 industrial jetliners were struck by shooting on Monday.

The FAA issued a Notice to Air Objective restricting U.S. airline companies from operating flights in the Haiti's territory and airspace listed below 10,000 feet (3,048 meters) for one month, citing safety-of-flight dangers associated with continuous security instability.

On Monday, a Spirit Airlines flight destined for the Haitian capital was struck by gunfire, requiring it to be diverted to the neighboring Dominican Republic, while a JetBlue Airways flight returning from Port-au-Prince was discovered with bullet damage after arriving in New york city.

JetBlue Airways stated on Monday night it would extend a halt to all flights to and from Haiti through Dec. 2.

Spirit said its plane had been damaged and gotten of commission upon landing in the northern Dominican city of Santiago. A flight attendant was hurt in the incident, while no travelers were hurt.

Equipped gangs in Haiti's capital have shot at aircraft in current weeks as the security situation degrades. Last month, a U.N. helicopter was hit by gunfire over Port-au-Prince.

On Monday, Haitian Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aime took office vowing to improve security. Fils-Aime was appointed by the Caribbean island nation's transitional council over the weekend to be successful Garry Conille, who only lasted in the role six months.

(source: Reuters)